GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Only the Father drinks from the chalice on Sunday. As for the sign of peace, it’s just a head nod or a wave this time–no shaking hands.
“We want to make sure that folks are kept safe,” said Shaun Johnson.
He’s the Master of Ceremonies for the Diocese of Green Bay.
Johnson tells FOX 11 about the changes to the Sunday morning Mass.
“Refrain from distributing communion in the cup, so the precious blood, until we give further notice. The third is would be to encourage folks to refrain from giving a physical sign of peace during the sign of peace. So it would just be a head nod or an opportunity to say verbally to say ‘peace be with you.’”
The restrictions are meant to prevent the spread of more than the cold and flu.
“i think there’s been a real emphasis, internationally, about the Coronavirus,” said John Bundra, a deacon at the Nativity of our Lord Parish in Green Bay.
“We want to just make sure that people use common sense. We’re going to do our best not to transfer viruses, etcetera, and again most of it is just common sense.”
Both Bundra and Johnson add these restrictions are pretty standard.
That’s because similar guidelines are put into place every year to stop the spread of cold and flu in the winter.
But as panic continues to surround the Coronavirus, Bundra tells FOX 11 the church has this message for area parishioners.
“If we feel that we have cold symptoms or something that’s contagious we’ve said to our congregation and to the diocese, stay home.”
“Make sure that they’re being safe with themselves as well as others in preventing the spread of this disease,” said Johnson.
Johnson adds when the cold and flu season dies down restrictions will be lifted.
However if the situation becomes worse, the church may have to add more restrictions.
